Iceland Grand Tour in Luxury

As you journey through vast lava fields where twisted volcanic formations whisper stories of millennia past and erupting geysers carry long-forgotten messages from deep within the earth, a sense of timelessness pervades that will capture your imagination.

Immerse yourself in the old-warm charm and pristine beauty of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, on a private guided tour of the old town center; the outdoor swimming pool in Laugardalur which is heated by the natural hot springs that run beneath the city; and the remarkable waterfalls and hot-spring geysers on the outskirts of the city. Elsewhere, take a Jeep tour through the surreal volcanic landscape where lush woodland valleys meet vast glaciers in Ranga; retrace Viking footsteps along the ancient Saga trails of the Borgarfjordur district; marvel at cold-spring Hraunfossar Falls that well up through the lava; explore Europe’s largest hot spring and the mile-long Surtshellier cave; visit the quaint fishing villages that hug the Snaefellsjokull glacier; take a whale-watching tour in an old oak fishing boat; and soak up the incredible lava formations and colorful sulfurous slopes of Namaskaro Pass.

Experience Iceland’s most beautiful, rugged and inhospitable environments in complete luxury on this extensive trip. Your experienced team of English-speaking guides and private drivers will ensure a seamless experience as you get an up-close view of the country’s twisted lava landscapes, vast frozen glaciers, lush valleys and charming fishing villages in a fleet of luxury vehicles. And your collection of premium accommodation compromises on nothing as it presents Iceland’s world-class cuisine and cutting-edge modern design in an absolute commitment to quality.

Enjoy a personalized vacation that best suits your needs, developed by one of our experienced destination experts. Relax during your trip with our 24/7 support and expert local guidance.

Itinerary

Reykjavik

Local cuisine

Blue Lagoon

Borg Hotel

Day 1: Reykjavik

Transfer between Reykjavik International airport and your hotel with private vehicle and driver. Your driver will make a stop at the Blue Lagoon (entrance fee not included) for you to enjoy the famous healing properties of the mineral waters. This makes a great final activity before carrying on to the airport to board your flight home.

Reykjavik is reknowned for its world class cuisine. Try one of these many restaurants, located in and around Reykjavik for a truly authentic Icelandic meal.

The Seafood Cellar a fusion style restaurant based in a newly renovated landmark building in the heart of the city. Restaurant Einar Ben is located in the city centre, close to the bright lights and all the entertainment. Serves delicious food made from quality Icelandic ingredients: fish, seabirds, wild game and lamb. Restaurant Silfur, located in the Art Deco Hotel Borg, right in the heart of Reykjavik. The menu is made up of the world’s best ingredients available and the wine list is known for its variety of excellent wines from around the world. The Fish Market one if Reykjavik`s most chic restaurants. In the kitchen, Chef Hrefna plays with Asian and American flavors, and creative presentations making the dining a true experience. By The Pond a small and unique restaurant is said to be the most novel fish restaurant in Iceland. Restaurant Square with a mountain view on one side and the city centre on the other, is likely to impress solely by its location. Square restaurant invites guests to experience food & drinks in a new way. The Fish Company is an eclectic restaurant located in the city centre. They offer a trip through a world of culinary adventures, which, as most good adventures do, begins under a bridge.Laekjarbrekka a restaurant in one of the oldest houses in Reykjavík, right in the centre of the old town, very Icelandic with a cosy atmosphere. Restaurant ReykjavIk is a large and spacious combination of restaurant, café and a unique bar, The Ice Bar. It is located in the very centre of Reykjavík in a 19th century former warehouse, which has recently been renovated. The house is on 3 floors. The brassiere, on the ground floor, is open for lunch, coffee and dinners. The Rainbow rooms are on the second floor and the Cabaret room is on the third floor. The restaurant offers a wide range of menus.Restaurant Perlan is one of the most exquisite restaurants in Iceland with highly unusual architecture. Perlan, or the "Pearl", rests on six huge storage tanks, each able to hold 4 million liters of geothermal hot water. The restaurant is on the top floor which slowly rotates, offering a magnificent panoramic view of Reykjavík and its surroundings as you dine. Nautholl Bistro is located by the thermal beach at Nautholsvik Bay in Reykjavik. The restaurant offers a great selection of 2 and 3 course lunch and dinner menus. Dill Restaurant is located in the Nordic House in Reykjavík, which was designed and built in 1968 by renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. The Gallery Restaurant has been renowned for its art, outstanding cuisine and impeccable service for over forty years. The Gallery Chefs offer a truly world class dining experience with their take on French cuisine, while the knowledgeable sommeliers will guide you through the feast of the senses. Restaurant Vox where the primary ambition is to use the best seasonal products and ingredients available at each time. The result is cosmopolitan cuisine with national roots, served by their expert staff.Grillid, French cuisine, superb food, fine wines, varied menus and excellent service, all set against one of the most breathtaking panoramic views of Reykjavik. Be ready for a once in a lifetime dining experience.The island of Videy is one of the most famous Icelandic historical sites through the ages. The view from the restaurant adds extra spice to a delightful meal.Fjorukrain a genuine Viking feast restaurant, something to be remembered. The décor is in the Viking style and they offer a true Viking feast with traditional meals served in old-fashioned Viking-style trays. Seaside Restaurant (40 minutes south of Reykjavik in Stokkseyri) by the seaside, in Icelandic; Við fjöruborðið, is a restaurant specializing in lobster, fresh from the ocean on the very doorstep. The restaurant looks to Italian influence when preparing their menu, incorporating Tunisian couscous, Mediterranean salads, tomatoes and greeneries, along with the ever so famous grilled potatoes.

Accommodation: Borg (4*)

Hallgrímskirkja Church

Day 2: Reykjavik

Enjoy a half day tour visiting the most important sights of the City. You will see the old town centre, the Parliament, the Cathedral, the harbour, the Pearl and Höfði house, the summit site of 1986. During the tour you will drive past the city's salmon river (which is proof that Reykjavík is a pollution free capital) and the Árbæjarsafn outdoor folk museum, which offers an interesting contrast to the modern buildings of the most recent part of city, and an outdoor swimming pool in Laugardalur which is heated with water from natural hot springs under the city. Visit the Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture museum and Hallgrímskirkja Church (whose steeple is a Reykjavík landmark). The tour includes private driver-guide for the tour and entrance fees to the National Museum, Sculpture Museum and Hallgrímskirkja Church.

Accommodation: Borg (4*)

Mt. Hekla

Ranga Hotel

Day 3: Reykjavik - Ranga

Your private driver guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you on a full day private tour of the Golden Circle. Combining natural and historical wonders, you‘ll experience Iceland‘s landmark attractions in one incredible day: the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall, the exploding hot springs of Geysir, and Þingvellir national park, site of the Viking parliament and over 1000 years of history. Please note: If you wish to enter the Geysir, Strokkur and Blesi hot spring area a new entrance fee of ISK600 per person (aged 16+) is payable locally to the land owners. You may still see the spouting geyser “Strokkur” from the road, if you wish to avoid the fee and do not enter the area.

Accommodation: Hotel Rangá (4*)

Landmannalaugar Highland

Day 4: Ranga

Meet your private guide at the Hotel Ranga, who will take you on a private tour drive through some very rugged terrain in the southern highlands. Journey through unforgettable landscape with surreal beauty, steaming hot springs, explosive craters and an amazing range of colors on some of Iceland’s most spectacular jeep tracks. To top off the day, you visit Landmannalaugar, where it is possible to have a warm bath in a natural pool. Afterwards you will be transferred back to Hotel Ranga or to a hotel of your choosing in Reykjavik.

Accommodation: Hotel Rangá (4*)

Thorsmork Valley

Day 5: Ranga

Today, enjoy a private guided tour of Thórsmörk Valley, a very famous and intriguing geological region in Iceland. Here you will experience unique views of stunning glaciers, rocks and woodlands. In addition to this, one can witness the remarkable aftermath of a volcanic eruption. The sight of what the unbridled power of a spouting volcano can do in a short time to its surroundings is breathtaking and leaves visitors awestricken. Afterwards you will be transferred back to Hotel Ranga.

Accommodation: Hotel Rangá (4*)

Glymur

Glymur Hotel

Day 6: Glymur

Enjoy a private tansfer to Hotel Glymur.

Hotel Glymur is situated an hour from most of the tourist attractions in the country and options include 5 golf courses, horse back riding, kayaking, angle fishing, river fishing, bird watching, hiking. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if any of these activities are of interest.

Enjoy a full day private excursion as you are brought from Reykjavik to Snaefellsness as you embark on a discovery of retracing Viking footsteps along the ancient Saga trails of the Borgarfjordur district. It is in this area that many of the famous Viking acts from the 13th Century Icelandic saga “Egils Saga” took place. Enjoy the views as you leave Reykjavik and follow the coastline north to the township of Borgarnes.

Enjoy a stop at the award winning Settlement Centre - and learn about the settlement of Iceland by way of a multimedia show case. The prime objective of the Icelandic Settlement Centre at Borgarnes is to dramatically recreate the fascinating sagas surrounding the birth of this island nation. It is not a museum but rather an installation. Multi-media and theatrical techniques are employed to help the visitor experience first hand the trepidation and excitement of setting off over the open ocean for lands unknown. Audio guides are available.

Continue in the Borgarfjörður district and make a stop at the hot spring Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. Here you will witness 200 liters per second of 100°C water stream gush forth.

The day continues on to Reykholt where Snorri Sturluson, Iceland’s most celebrated writer, law speaker and historian of all time lived right up until his controversial death in 1241. Enjoy lunch followed by a drive to the picturesque waterfalls Hraunfossar, where the spring water is flowing from down under the lava.

The Hraunfossar Falls are clear, cold springs that well up through the lava and run in falls and rapids into the Hvita River. Barnafoss has been evolving through recorded history, as the river has dug itself down through the lava and runs in a deep and narrow ravine.

There is the option to visit Surtshellir cave if you are interested before being brought to your accommmodation in Snaefellsnes. Approximately a mile in length, it is the longest such cave in the country and is named after the fire giant Surtr, a prominent figure in Norse mythology, who is prophesied to one day engulf the world in the fire of his flaming sword. Being of volcanic origin, the walls of the interior are composed of vitrified layers of magma and basalt. The roof of the cave is about 10 metres high at the highest point, and the tunnels are around 15m broad at their greatest width.

Hotel Budir’s restaurant, arguably one of the most romantic restaurants in Iceland, has been referred to as "The Mecca of Icelandic cooking", due to its unique and delightful cuisine. The restaurant’s menu is seasonal and takes advantage of fresh local produce like seafood and fish from neighbouring villages such as Stykkisholmur, Olafsvik and Borgarnes.

Accommodation: Hotel Budir - Standard Room (B)

Djúpalónssandur

Day 8: Snaefellsnes

You private guided tour today takes you along the rugged coastline of the peninsula, passing through the several small fishing communities that hug the lower regions of the famous Snaefellsjökull glacier. The first stop will be at Djúpalónssandur to explore the beach - see the large boulders that were used in former times to test the strength of fishermen. It may be hard to believe that this pebbled cove once housed around 70 fishing stations. There are also many beautiful and interesting rock formations to be discovered at this picturesque stop. Onwards to Hellnar for a short stop before continuing to the tiny fishing community of Arnarstapi passing the noticeable volcanic plug of Lóndrangar on the way. Many stories and Sagas are connected to this area, all which lend an even more mysterious appeal to these stunning surroundings. At Arnarstapi, a refreshing walk takes you along a pathway boasting many interesting geological phenomena and rich bird-life. Visit Stykkisholmur village for a short orientation of this charming town. Included in this day is a visit to a local shark farm.

Accommodation: Overnight Hotel Budir - Standard Room(B)

Akureyri

Kea Hotel

Day 9: Reykjavik - Snaefellsnes - Akureyri

Relax on your airport transfer in Reykjavik with a private vehicle and driver. Please note that a surcharge may be post billed to you if you require a transfer after 8pm or before 7am.

Relax on your flight from Reykjavik to Akureyki today. The direct flight takes approximately 45 minutes.

If you are not pressed for time to get back to Reyjavik today, consider a boat ride in Snaefellnes prior to your departure. Please speak with your Sales Advisor if you would like this added to your itinerary.

Transfer between airport and your hotel with private vehicle.

This morning, you will depart for a private transfer back to Reykjavik. Estimated arrival in Reykjavík is noon (approx. 2,5 hrs drive direct) leaving the possibility to catch an afternoon flight from KEF airport if necessary.

Meet your driver at your hotel for a private guided tour to Húsavík for a whale watching tour in an old oak fishing boat. You will have the opportunity to see a large variety of whales, dolphins and birds in their natural surroundings. Afterwards you are transferred back to your Akureyri hotel. Whale watching tour included.

Accommodation: Kea Hotel (4*)

Dettifoss waterfall

Day 10: Akureyri

Enjoy a wonderful tour with private vehicle and guide. Start with a short visit of Akureyri, continue to the Lake Mývatn area. Explore the natural wonder of the surrounding area, including fantastic lava formations, along with the colorful sulfurous slopes of Námaskarð pass. Proceed over the highland plateau to Dettifoss waterfall and back to Akureyri.

Accommodation: Kea Hotel (4*)

Day 11: Akureyri - Reykjavik

Transfer between airport and your hotel with private vehicle.

Relax on your flight from Akureyki to Reykjavik today. The direct flight takes approximately 45 minutes.

Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

Accommodation: Borg (4*)

Day 12: Reykjavik

Relax on your airport transfer in Reykjavik with a private vehicle and driver. Please note that a surcharge may be post billed to you if you require a transfer after 8pm or before 7am.

What's Included:

Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

What's not Included:

Trip Terms & Conditions

Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.

Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.

Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary

Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.

Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.

Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

Hotels

Borg Hotel

Borg Hotel - Suite

Borg (4*) - Reykjavik

Hotel Borg overlooks the beautiful square of Austurvöllur, in the heart of Reykjavík, across from Althingi, the Icelandic parliament and the cathedral. The Borg, which has become one of Reykjavik’s landmarks, is conveniently located within walking distance of variety of restaurants, souvenir shops, art galleries and specialty shops. The hotel's rooms and suites are elegantly appointed yet offer an extensive array of modern amenities. The Silfur restaurant in Hotel Borg, offers exquisite Icelandic cuisine served in beautiful and stylish surroundings, along with a café and bar. Please note that the Hotel Borg will be expanding by adding a new wing of 43 rooms, next to the hotel, that will be connected to the main building on the first floor. The constructions are scheduled for completion in May 2015. As this project does not involve the main original structure, this should have minimal impact on their guests which is the main focus in all plans. During this period, the Borg Restaurant will be open only for breakfast and group caterings.

Hotel Rangá (4*) - Ranga

Hotel Ranga is a luxury countryside hotel and the only 4 star resort in South Iceland. It offers all the facilities and services of a modern resort. Located about an hour from Reykjavík between the towns of Hella and Hvolsvöllur, it lies just off the main road right in middle of South Iceland’s panoramic scene. It also features an acclaimed riverside restaurant, a lounge and bar, a game room, massage facilities and three much beloved outdoor hot tubs heated with geothermal water - where there is an excellent chance to view the fantastic northern lights during September through April. Hótel Rangá was upgraded and renovated in 2007/2008 featuring luxuriously decorated rooms and suites.

Glymur (5*)

The Glymur Hotel (5*) is situated just a short drive from Reykjavik in a spectacular view over Whale fjord. The hotel is a relaxing environment and features a restaurant that offers exceptional local and international cuisine for even the hungriest of stomachs.

Hotel Budir - Standard Room (B)

Hotel Budir is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countryside hotels in Iceland, just a short drive from Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik. The hotel sits in a lava field on the westernmost tip of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, in the western region of Iceland. Due to the hotel’s location, guests have an impressive view of the breathtaking Snaefellsjokull glacier and the Budir-estuary which meanders into the vast Faxafloi-Bay where a number of seals reside. Hotel Budir has it all, a world-class service, fine food and drink and luxurious rooms, making it ideal for get-togethers with friends and family, or a romantic weekend with a loved one – all of which can be enjoyed in an indescribably beautiful environment.

Overnight Hotel Budir - Standard Room(B)

Hotel Budir is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countryside hotels in Iceland, just a short drive from Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik. The hotel sits in a lava field on the westernmost tip of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, in the western region of Iceland. Due to the hotel’s location, guests have an impressive view of the breathtaking Snaefellsjokull glacier and the Budir-estuary which meanders into the vast Faxafloi-Bay where a number of seals reside. Hotel Budir’s restaurant, arguably one of the most romantic restaurants in Iceland, has been referred to as "The Mecca of Icelandic cooking", due to its unique and delightful cuisine. The restaurant’s menu is seasonal and takes advantage of fresh local produce like seafood and fish from neighbouring villages such as Stykkisholmur, Olafsvik and Borgarnes. The hotel also organises and hosts a number of weddings, all of which are unique and tailor made with the wedding couple or their representatives. Many of the weddings ceremonies are conducted in the little church close to Hotel Budir or in the hotel reception; it is even possible to get married on the golden sand beach close to the hotel. In addition, the hotel also offers facilities for meetings and small-to-medium sized conferences thus making it ideal for business-meetings or conferences with colleagues. Hotel Budir has it all, a world-class service, fine food and drink and luxurious rooms, making it ideal for get-togethers with friends and family, or a romantic weekend with a loved one – all of which can be enjoyed in an indescribably beautiful environment.

Kea Hotel (4*) - Akureyri

The Kea Hotel is located in the heart of Akureyri, gateway to the rich natural splendor of northeast Iceland. Hotel Kea has been welcoming guests since 1944 with the same high standards of elegance, quality, service and comfort which would be expected of one of Iceland’s well-established hotels. Múlaberg bistro & bar offers guests delicious meals made with the finest Icelandic ingredients. Comfort, rest and relaxation come easily in all of the guestrooms. They all have private bathroom, coffee and tea, making facilities hairdryer, telephone, radio and satellite television.

Map

Reviews

Europe
Vanessa Oquendo ,
April 21, 2014"Melissa Field was extremely helpful! She was courteous, professional, knowledgeable, and friendly! She kept me updated on the status of everything and provided timely correspondence. She took ownership for any problems I had and remedied them. I had the most amazing time of my life in Iceland and Paris! I would not have experienced everything without the help of Kensington Tours."

Europe
Marilynn Weaver ,
April 21, 2014"All of our guides were beyond fabulous! Our time in Dublin was much too short, would have loved to stay there at least one more full day. Would recommend extending this package to 15 days for any future visits. The train to Edinburgh was super! Beautiful scenery and great steak pies!"

Europe
Ann Saxon ,
November 06, 2013"Our trip was fantastic!!! I cannot say enough good things. Lianne worked with our exact dates and time frame beautifully.Our drivers were prompt and friendly. The private guides were so knowledgeable. We left with an appreciation of the history, the culture, and the beauty of Andulasia. We were very pleased and will certainly recommend your company to friends and family."

Europe
Coby Scherr ,
November 05, 2013"Everyone involved in our Portugal trip made it terrific. Exactly as advertised. Every event on time and most pleasant. Guides were well-informed, courteous and friendly. Really made for a great journey every time. Each hotel was clean, upgraded and staffed with knowledgeable and friendly folks. Breakfasts were complete -- almost too much to eat. It will always be a wonderful memory thanks to Kensington Tours."

Europe
Couples Dellinger & Hubbell ,
November 06, 2013"We've been raving to everyone about the food, the friendliness of the people and the amazing history and sites in Turkey. Yes, we want to go back."

Europe
John Edstrom ,
October 22, 2013"Overall, our tour in Spain was very enjoyable, and well planned and executed. Our private tour of the Alhambra was excellent. Virginia, tour guide for royal palace ruins outside of Cordoba, was also excellent. In Seville, we went to the Flamenco Show/dinner, and the Flamenco was outstanding!"

Europe
Kevin Wilshere ,
October 19, 2013"Great trip to Spain! Thanks again for all your help, Lianne. The destinations, hotels, guides and everything were all top notch."

Europe
Chery Westlund ,
November 07, 2013"My husband and I took a 3 week vacation to southern Europe and North Africa and had a great time. All the guides were very knowledgeable and bent over backwards to accommodate us. The arrangements made by Kensington went off without a hitch. This is our second trip with Kensington (we went to Peru in 2009) and we will certainly book with them again."

Europe
Randy Gramlich ,
October 07, 2013"Thank you for your follow up, we both loved our time in Croatia. It’s really a beautiful place, especially the coast. Your choice of hotels was great. It was an incredible view from the Bellevue hotel in Dubrovnik and the Vestibule in Split was in the best possible location. We were able to relax in our room listening to the wonderful singers in the courtyard and its central location made it so easy to walk anywhere we wanted to see with ease. "

Europe
Jay Steffan ,
September 24, 2013"We just returned from a 10 day trip to Paris and Normandy. We spent three nights in Paris and then enjoyed a seven night cruise on the Seine to Normandy with AMA Waterways. The time in Paris was well spent and has piqued our interest to return for a more thorough visit. Guide Wafaa Lankey was superb in our visit to Versailles. The Seine cruise was relaxing and beautiful. So many wonderful little towns and we wished we had more time in each one to explore and enjoy.
We traveled to Croatia and Slovenia using Kensington earlier this year which was a fantastic trip."